L.C. Smith Crown Grade 12GA – JOE HIESTAND GUN, FACTORY LETTER, VENT RIB

Vintage Firearms is pleased to offer an exceptionally important American target gun: a 1937 L.C. Smith Crown Grade documented by its accompanying L.C. Smith Collectors Association factory letter as having been shipped directly to legendary trapshooter Joe Hiestand in December of that year.

Hiestand was one of the dominant competitive shooters of his generation and remains among the most accomplished competitors in Grand American history. He won the Grand American High-Over-All championship seven times, the North American Clay Target championship five times, and the Doubles championship four times. He was later inducted into the Trapshooting Hall of Fame.

Hiestand is most closely associated with Ithaca trap guns. His connection to the company was significant enough that his likeness is understood to have inspired the trapshooter engraving found on high-grade Ithaca Knick-model single-barrel trap guns. That history makes the appearance of this elaborate Crown Grade particularly intriguing. Shipped directly to Hiestand while he was at the height of his competitive career, this gun may represent an effort by Hunter Arms to place its finest work in the hands of one of America’s most visible champions. No surviving documentation presently confirms that promotional purpose, but the gun’s configuration, grade, recipient, and 1937 delivery make the possibility difficult to overlook.

The Crown Grade ranked among the finest shotguns offered by Hunter Arms. Only 862 were produced across all gauges, including 639 in 12 gauge. Each was made to order, and this example was configured specifically as a serious target gun. Its 30-inch ventilated-rib barrels are choked Full and Full, accompanied by a single selective trigger, flat-style beavertail forend, reinforced forend lug, and no automatic safety. The absence of a safety was intentional and appropriate for a dedicated trap or live-bird gun, eliminating the possibility of inadvertently finding the gun on safe when a target was called.

The Crown Grade engraving is executed with fine rose-and-scroll work surrounding deeply cut sporting-dog scenes on either side of the sidelock action. Its highly figured walnut is equally impressive and gives the gun the visual presence expected from one of Hunter Arms’ highest grades.

This gun was previously offered for sale before cracks were discovered in the stock—a known area of concern with L.C. Smith sidelock guns. We immediately withdrew it from the market. These imperfections have been professionally repaired and stabilized, and the gun is now being offered with the work fully disclosed. The repair is visible upon careful inspection but was completed to preserve both the structural integrity and the historically important original stock.

The 30-inch barrels retain approximately 99% of their factory blue and have bright, mirror bores. The action remains tight on the breech face and hinge pin, with the top lever resting right of center. The screws remain excellent, the single selective trigger functions properly, and the original checkering and wood finish remain in very good condition. Strong jeweling is still visible on the barrel flats, supporting the impression that the gun saw comparatively limited use.

Weighing 7 pounds 14 ounces on the regular-weight frame, this Crown Grade has the substance and steadiness expected of a purpose-built competition gun. Its elevated shooting dimensions, ventilated rib, Full-and-Full choke configuration, and broad beavertail forend make it suitable for trap, live-bird-style shooting, or display within an advanced collection of American target arms.

The importance of this gun rests not merely in its rarity or condition, but in the name recorded in its factory history. This is a documented Crown Grade shipped directly to Joe Hiestand during the prime of his extraordinary competitive career. Whether it was ordered by Hiestand, presented to him, or placed in his hands by Hunter Arms as an attempt to win the endorsement of an Ithaca-associated champion remains an intriguing unanswered question.